URGENT Hope Headset Advice (before the missus gets home)

mik75
mik75 Posts: 149
edited October 2008 in MTB workshop & tech
In my infinite wisdom I thought I would test out my new workstand by removing my forks and regreasing my hope headset (in the kitchen) as it was feeling/sounding tight/gritty.

This is the first time I've attempted this and being extra careful I stripped everything gently but as i went to remove the fork bits fell out and I did not pay attention to wear they came from.

So basically the fork steerer tube has a bearing on it which I've cleaned and regreased, the top cup has another (cleaned and regreased) bearing but I'm left with 2 x metal O rings and what i can describe as a tapered shim (that is not a complete circle if that makes sense with a groove cut in it).

Where do these go as I did not see/can't remember. I don't think these are part of the bottom cup as there is a label on my fork steerer (left by Mojo) which they will not pass over. Therefore, by elimination they must go in the top cup but in what order????

The shim will sit inside the bearing but that then leaves the o rings(which are the same size btw).

Help, the missus will be home in the next 40 mins and will not be too please that I'm taking up most of the kitchen with my bike and tools.
\'Porridge is the weapon of choice\'

Mik

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    shims X 2 ontop of the tapered wedge.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • Dazzza
    Dazzza Posts: 2,364
    In this order, on mine anyway.

    Bearing,wedge,oring and the shims.
    The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it.
    Giant Anthem X
  • mik75
    mik75 Posts: 149
    So as it stands....

    Fork steerer tube....bottom bearing....bottom cup.....top cup.....top bearing....tapered wedge.....2 x o rings?????
    \'Porridge is the weapon of choice\'

    Mik
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    and then the cover.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • redvee
    redvee Posts: 11,922
    Get the bedding out of the airing cupboard for your night/week on the sofa :lol:
    I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    actually get the camera out first. lets see these "metal O rings"
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • 1960ride
    1960ride Posts: 28
    Did you get the headset done in time?

    Are all the tools put away?

    Did you clean the floor?

    Don't worry your wife will know something was up, since you will leave a greasy rag laying around or dirty handprint somewhere.

    I guess you could use the excuse you were working on the leaky sink or something she wanted you to do two weeks ago.

    Let us know how she caught you and how mad she was.

    We all need a good laugh.
  • mik75
    mik75 Posts: 149
    No need, done it. Super slick movement, no gritty horrible noise. Just tarting about with the brake and shifter positions (which is annoying the f*** out of the missus as she wants to start cooking).

    Muha muhahaha muhahahhaha, I better go finish off before I push my luck.

    Cheers lads

    p.s. still confused as why it needed 2 o rings and not one?

    Nick, I may strip it again at the weekend so I'll take some snaps then.
    \'Porridge is the weapon of choice\'

    Mik
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    well the new headsets have 3 metal shims to allow for wear or just clearance issues.

    older Hope headsets used rubber O rings for sealing duties.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • Dazzza
    Dazzza Posts: 2,364
    Yup no shims on my headset just a wedge, o rings and the cover, still going strong on the original bearings.
    The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it.
    Giant Anthem X
  • mik75
    mik75 Posts: 149
    1960ride - the house is in bits at the moment as we are having all of the GCH replaced. The litchen is where the plumber has been doing most of his work and its a tip. Just wanted to have it done and removed before she got home and she would have been none the wiser. But, alas, I didn't manage it. She was pretty cool about it though. She was more interested in getting me out of the way and starting tea.

    Nick/Dazzza - mine is the same as Dazzzas by all accounts. 2 x bearings, 1 x wedge, 2 x metal o rings and 1 x cover + bolt of course.

    I think the top bearing is giving up the ghost. Feels like there is a lot of lateral play in it and on closer inspection its still making that gritty horrible sound. Will see if LBS has a couple of bearings in the morning to replace.

    What worried me slightly was the tech drawing on the Hope website. No where near the amount of internal components.
    \'Porridge is the weapon of choice\'

    Mik
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    there are NO METAL O rings in any of the hope headsets.

    the drawing on the hope site is of the old design and the head doc included.

    I have both and fitted a fair fewaswell and i have NO idea what you are on about.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • mik75
    mik75 Posts: 149
    Photos are required then. Will sort some out today.
    \'Porridge is the weapon of choice\'

    Mik
  • mik75
    mik75 Posts: 149
    Just spoke to Hope:

    2 x Bearings
    1 x Split Tapered Ring
    2 x Metal Shims

    This should stop the confusion.

    The bloke on the phone (who sounded like the bloke in the vids) informed me to clean the bearings, re-grease and put it all back together again, nipping up the head bolt and then aligning/tightening the stem.

    Problem is that it still squeaks and sounds gritty. could it be that the bearings (or at least one) have gone?
    \'Porridge is the weapon of choice\'

    Mik

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